Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Writing Personal Statements (Bragging)
Writing Personal Statements (Bragging)
Let’s be real: personal statements have to do some bragging, even if it's a thinly-disguised
humble-brag.
But nobody really wants to read “25 Reasons I’m The Actual Best And Why You’d Be Lucky To
Have Me.”
So how do you talk about all the things you’ve accomplished without annoying or alienating your
reader? How do you brag without, well, sounding braggy?
When my team took first place at the 2010 United Nations Global Debates Program I knew that I
had a future in politics and foreign affairs. We were able to beat our competitors by doing better,
more complete research and supporting our statements more effectively. We worked hard for
that award and I’m incredibly proud of myself.
More importantly, I now confront issues instead of avoiding them. It is exciting to discover
solutions to problems that affect others, as I was able to do as part of the 1st Place team for the
2010 United Nations Global Debates Program on climate change and poverty. I take a natural
interest in global issues, and plan to become a foreign affairs analyst or diplomat by studying
international affairs with a focus on national identity.
In the second example, the author shows that she has developed courage and is discovering
solutions to problems that affect others.So her fancy UN Global Debates Award isn’t (only) a
brag, it’s evidence that she has developed or is in the process of developing this value.
I’m fluent in both Hebrew and Farsi; I’m a natural language learner. I learned Farsi on my
family’s yearly trips to India and biannual trips to Jerusalem. I feel that my aptitude for language
makes me a particularly good candidate for your program.
Kinda want to punch the author of that first example, dontcha? The second example is primarily
about helping others. But the author works in a brag (his ability to speak Hebrew and Farsi) by
connecting it to one of his values, one that is actually quite altruistic.
If you’re not quite sure how to work your brags into your essay, simply think in terms of value —
> accomplishment that demonstrates that value —> scenario that connects the two.
Community —> voted MVP of lacrosse team —> rallied the team to win an important game after
one of our best players was injured.
Empathy —> started an award-winning mentorship program —> helped a new student and her
family find housing.
Curiosity —> placed at the national science fair —> tried dozens of variables and conducted
hundreds of experiments.
When you’re writing your essay, it might be best to lead with your value. This makes the brag a
bit more subtle and palatable.
Tucking your brags and accomplishments into your personal statement is an art, not a science.
But if you lead with your values you can sneak in your impressive achievements with charm.